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Warren Zevon — Accidentally Like a Martyr
Album: Excitable Boy
Avg rating:
6.5

Your rating:
Total ratings: 1119









Released: 1976
Length: 3:30
Plays (last 30 days): 0
The phone don't ring
And the sun refused to shine
Never thought I'd have to pay so dearly
For what was already mine
For such a long, long time

We made mad love
Shadow love
Random love
And abandoned love
Accidentally like a martyr
The hurt gets worse and the heart gets harder

The days slide by
Should have done, should have done, we all sigh
Never thought I'd ever be so lonely
After such a long, long time
Time out of mind

We made mad love
Shadow love
Random love
And abandoned love
Accidentally like a martyr
The hurt gets worse and the heart gets harder
Comments (115)add comment
'Enjoy every sandwich' - Warren Zevon

c.
 Phoenix68 wrote:

It's so wonderful reading such an honest and bare-souled comment. May have been 9 years ago, but still feels like could be today - or any day. I, too, try not to think about what I would do without the magical company of Radio Paradise...


Couldn't agree more. It's been almost 10 years since Cynaera left us and I miss her and Warren very much. 
Not a bad song on the album and some are absolutely great. This song is one of the greats.
 novembrrr wrote:

Are y'all even serious? This is the worst song I've heard on RP. I logged in just so I could rate it. 




Ah well, all I can say is all your taste is in your mouf.....
Fantastic song from one of the most versatile and clever wordsmiths ever in the music biz. His feisty wit and attitude are sorely missed!
Did he sing Mad love, shadow love, random love, and Panda love?
I absolutely love the modulation in this.
It's a shame that the only one of Zevon's songs that most people know is Werewolves of London, whereas his other music, which is all better than that, gets overlooked. This one is outstanding, beautiful and moving, and I love his voice.
absolutely love 💕
 novembrrr wrote:
Are y'all even serious? This is the worst song I've heard on RP. I logged in just so I could rate it. 
 
When you get your first real girlfriend you'll understand it.
 Cynaera wrote:
Oh, damn.  Crying... I SO love Zevon, and I miss him. I'm glad I have most of his music. This song is something I can guarantee no one will hear on the radio.  And if someone can prove me wrong, I will gladly subscribe to that station.  Music like this deserves to be played a lot.

Thank you, RadioParadise. You give us the very best. I think I'd die without you... And I'm wondering what will happen when I don't have Internet access, a cell phone, or anything resembling a connection with this place.

Thinking too much - boy, are we all ever spoiled!  We're here, we're listening, we're commenting, and there are so many people out there who don't even have food, much less great music.  I try to put things into perspective and remember that I have it so good... I hope everyone else will take a little time to do the same. 

Geez - Warren Zevon's music just makes me babble on/Babylon.


 
It's so wonderful reading such an honest and bare-souled comment. May have been 9 years ago, but still feels like could be today - or any day. I, too, try not to think about what I would do without the magical company of Radio Paradise...
Are y'all even serious? This is the worst song I've heard on RP. I logged in just so I could rate it. 
Love, love, love this tune. Perfect. Miss Warren so much. He was one of the rare ones who never lost his spark, his last album was just a perfect as this one.  Perfect is like infinity, no perfect is more perfect than another perfect... they are all equal at that point. He had more perfect albums in him, but we will never hear them.
 ColdMiser wrote:
The days slide by
Should have done, should have done, we all sigh

a lyric for everyone
 

TIME/DSotM:

You are young and life is long and there is time to kill today
And then one day you find ten years have got behind you
No one told you when to run, you missed the starting gun


There is theme.   Enjoy today - make the most of it.  Wish I had heeded to that advice more stringently......
I picked up this CD many, many years ago when visiting my mum: her local library was having a clearance sale of its CDs (back in the day when such things were lent out), and I paid the princely sum of 50p for it.  I wasn't really aware of Warren up until then, much beyond 'Werewolves of London' which I used to hear on the radio when I was a kid. 

Needless to say the album soon became, and is still is, one of my favourites
I'm shocked at a 6.5.  

A great song from an amazing album.
The days slide by
Should have done, should have done, we all sigh

a lyric for everyone
Never thought I'd ever be so lonely

After such a long, long time
I can only guess but, it must be a genetic thing....we just don't see such music mastery in today's music. The artists of this era were just brilliant yet, simplistic. And many a good tunes were created. Thanks RP, for keeping those fond memories alive!! God bless.
 Milesxl wrote:
Stick to the Ware-wolves  
 
NO WAY!  This whole album is amazing!!!!!
This song seems to tell what it was like in the end for him. Wish ya woulda got It Bro I bet your singing with the angels now A werewolf in heaven We miss ya
Stick to the Ware-wolves  
 Kilroy wrote:
Disheartened to see 55 "1 votes" and 34 "2 votes", but it proves that people often have no idea what they are doing when they vote...

Our current political situation proves that people have no idea what they are doing when they vote...

 xkolibuul wrote:
Surprised this song is only averaging 6.5 as of this writing.
 
I helped a bit today, 7+1+more later? This might end up being the song that convinces me to get the album....where have I been?
Disheartened to see 55 "1 votes" and 34 "2 votes", but it proves that people often have no idea what they are doing when they vote...
NERD!!! Gave it a 10 :)
wherever I ask myself what is favorite album in my long rock and roll history, the answer is always, "Excitable Boy" by Warren Zevon. Every cut is a 10 for me. And, yes, I am enjoying my sandwich.
Surprised this song is only averaging 6.5 as of this writing.
 Decoy wrote:
Enjoy every sandwich folks. 

 
If I was ever gonna get a tattoo, that is exactly what it would say. Such a talent. Such a loss. 
This entire album is inspired.
 Exhack wrote:
It's *Accidentally* Like a Martyr. (Can't help it. I'm an editor.) 

 
{#Lol}  I didn't know there were such things as editors anymore.  
Enjoy every sandwich folks. 
 nutrod42 wrote:

Desperados is my fave. I'd love to hear that on RP.

 
Agreed,,,,
Great song selection from that LP Bill
thanks dude

 ckevin63 wrote:
This may be my favorite WZ song......this or Desperadoes Under the Eaves.

 
Desperados is my fave. I'd love to hear that on RP.

Its funny how songs from the past reflect directly on events of the past in ones life. This song has done just that.

What meaning this song has to me. In fact tis whole album. Crazy, turbulent, tragic, fun all rolled up into one time.    


Shoulda Done, Shoulda Done we all sighed....Man this guy could write
The good die young.
 Cynaera wrote:
Oh, damn.  Crying... I SO love Zevon, and I miss him. I'm glad I have most of his music. This song is something I can guarantee no one will hear on the radio.  And if someone can prove me wrong, I will gladly subscribe to that station.  Music like this deserves to be played a lot.

Thank you, RadioParadise. You give us the very best. I think I'd die without you... And I'm wondering what will happen when I don't have Internet access, a cell phone, or anything resembling a connection with this place.

Thinking too much - boy, are we all ever spoiled!  We're here, we're listening, we're commenting, and there are so many people out there who don't even have food, much less great music.  I try to put things into perspective and remember that I have it so good... I hope everyone else will take a little time to do the same. 

Geez - Warren Zevon's music just makes me babble on/Babylon.

 
Cynaera was a beautiful spirit much like Warren. I will miss both of them. I enjoyed every one of her comments and I enjoyed every one of his songs.
 laozilover wrote:

FWIW, it's right on the album.

 
RP typo I guess. Itches me as well.
 Cynaera wrote:
Oh, damn.  Crying... I SO love Zevon, and I miss him. I'm glad I have most of his music. This song is something I can guarantee no one will hear on the radio.  And if someone can prove me wrong, I will gladly subscribe to that station.  Music like this deserves to be played a lot.

Thank you, RadioParadise. You give us the very best. I think I'd die without you... And I'm wondering what will happen when I don't have Internet access, a cell phone, or anything resembling a connection with this place.

Thinking too much - boy, are we all ever spoiled!  We're here, we're listening, we're commenting, and there are so many people out there who don't even have food, much less great music.  I try to put things into perspective and remember that I have it so good... I hope everyone else will take a little time to do the same. 

Geez - Warren Zevon's music just makes me babble on/Babylon.

 
strong music indeed
"never thought i'd have to pay so dearly
for what was already mine......

the hurt gets worse and the heart gets harder"

you'd think he was fucking irish for poetry like that
 
Great song that was overlooked. I love it and definitely relate right now!
Bill's got great taste.
Another great song title from WZ.
This may be my favorite WZ song......this or Desperadoes Under the Eaves.
Yes sir Mr. Zevon is a missed one.  
 Kaisersosay wrote:
RIP Warren , thanks for supplying a soundtrack for a good portion of my life.,.....

 
{#Yes}
The melancholy is very strong in this one ...
Miss you Warren...I hope the concerts are good up there in heaven.
 gjr wrote:
flea-bag motel room by the interstate......bottle of wild turkey........couple a sleeping pills.......and a short length of rope.......

 
If you are talking about how this song makes you feel, then I am right there with ya'
RIP Warren , thanks for supplying a soundtrack for a good portion of my life.,.....

Everybody in my mushrooming multitude of churches be dancing buck ass naked all across the world like bowlegged gypsy muleskinners...  we love this song...  love this entire excitable album...  love sex, drugs, and rock 'n roll...
???????????
You really have to enjoy every sandwich.
Never heard this played on any radio station.....but wore out the grooves of this album and this track.
He sure could paint a picture, couldn't he?

Thanks for playing this one
....time to stop sniffling and get back to work. 
My favorite WZ song.  What a walk down memory lane.
 toterola wrote:
Gosh, I love this album! This brings back so many memories.

When I was a kid in high school, a young man in the service, and a youngish college student this album was always a touchstone that bridged the gap between me and countless friends who listened to everything from nascent rap to punk and new wave.

We could all come together over "Warren The Headless Thompson Gunner", "When Johnny Strikes Up The Band", this track, "Werewolves Of London", the title cut, "Night Time In The Switching Yard"... good memories of great friends.
Rock on Warren. You are/were/always will be part of the soundtrack of my life. {#Bananapiano}

 
Very well said!
Yeah, strong 9. The only thing keeping it from being a 10 is that "Desperadoes Under the Eaves" already has that slot.
Gosh, I love this album! This brings back so many memories.

When I was a kid in high school, a young man in the service, and a youngish college student this album was always a touchstone that bridged the gap between me and countless friends who listened to everything from nascent rap to punk and new wave.

We could all come together over "Warren The Headless Thompson Gunner", "When Johnny Strikes Up The Band", this track, "Werewolves Of London", the title cut, "Night Time In The Switching Yard"... good memories of great friends.
Rock on Warren. You are/were/always will be part of the soundtrack of my life. {#Bananapiano}
Great songwriter and performer. He displayed great range in his songwriting rocking it, tongue in cheek tunes and pensive tunes like this.
 oaktreem wrote:
what the?  Not a fan.
 
what he said
what the?  Not a fan.
 Cynaera wrote:
Oh, damn.  Crying... I SO love Zevon, and I miss him. I'm glad I have most of his music. This song is something I can guarantee no one will hear on the radio.  And if someone can prove me wrong, I will gladly subscribe to that station.  Music like this deserves to be played a lot.

Thank you, RadioParadise. You give us the very best. I think I'd die without you... And I'm wondering what will happen when I don't have Internet access, a cell phone, or anything resembling a connection with this place.

Thinking too much - boy, are we all ever spoiled!  We're here, we're listening, we're commenting, and there are so many people out there who don't even have food, much less great music.  I try to put things into perspective and remember that I have it so good... I hope everyone else will take a little time to do the same. 

Geez - Warren Zevon's music just makes me babble on/Babylon.
 

We miss you so much, Cynaera...

love this song...
 
I was a big fan of this album from the start and this song grew on me to become one of my favorites.  Saw him a few times in the 80's in Santa Barbara, once opening up for Fleetwood Mac.  His last album is great also in its tone and honesty.  Miss the Z-man...
We need more Warren...
Good, but IMO not one of his best.......................unless you're talking about the version on Preludes... In that case, it's one of the most honest songs ever put down in 1s and 0s... He was in his prime then, turning out some brutally frank work— right from his heart to your gut... 
flea-bag motel room by the interstate......bottle of wild turkey........couple a sleeping pills.......and a short length of rope.......
 Exhack wrote:
It's *Accidentally* Like a Martyr. (Can't help it. I'm an editor.) 
 
FWIW, it's right on the album.
It's *Accidentally* Like a Martyr. (Can't help it. I'm an editor.) 
Geez, I just saw I had never rated this song.  An easy '9'!
Really miss the Z man!  Saw him play once at the Palace in Albany....fantastic (and really, really loud) show. 
 netskink wrote:


...no woman has ever died of heart ache. 

...All the chicks I have had since she left me has not filled the hole in me yet.  I can relate to this song.

 
 fingerpin wrote:

I have pinpointed your problem. A change of perspective in viewing said "chicks" might help. {#Ask}

 
I heard somewhere that men die before women because we want to!  This is not a popular viewpoint with my wife, but then again I only bring it up when I think she's being naggy. 

And speaking of my wife, she doesn't mind when I call her or other women chicks.  I think that word has long since lost much of it's negative connotation.  As a rule, any woman I'd consider a chick is cool.  To me, a chick is a girl that I can laugh with, won't get offended if I fart in her presence, can tell a dirty joke, and doesn't carry a dog around in her purse like some kind of fashion accessory.  I'm not sure if netskink is the only one with perspective issues. 

Love it...we miss you Warren.

what a well crafted song...
 fingerpin wrote:
I have pinpointed your problem. A change of perspective in viewing said "chicks" might help. {#Ask}
 
Here's a step-ladder - get off of your high horse.  You intentionally left out relevant portions of netskink's comment:

I read once . . .
and

Which brings me to another quote from that book.


Go play Maureen Dowd on your own time.

2 Zevon songs in one day.....not complaining....thanks Bill!
Oh, damn.  Crying... I SO love Zevon, and I miss him. I'm glad I have most of his music. This song is something I can guarantee no one will hear on the radio.  And if someone can prove me wrong, I will gladly subscribe to that station.  Music like this deserves to be played a lot.

Thank you, RadioParadise. You give us the very best. I think I'd die without you... And I'm wondering what will happen when I don't have Internet access, a cell phone, or anything resembling a connection with this place.

Thinking too much - boy, are we all ever spoiled!  We're here, we're listening, we're commenting, and there are so many people out there who don't even have food, much less great music.  I try to put things into perspective and remember that I have it so good... I hope everyone else will take a little time to do the same. 

Geez - Warren Zevon's music just makes me babble on/Babylon.


Never thought I'd have to pay so dearly

For what was already mine
Why did it take me so long to find Zevon? I feel cheated that I missed him when I was younger. 

Warren really created some great ballads over the years, this being one of the best
Thank you, Warren. Your voice is always in mine
 netskink wrote:


...no woman has ever died of heart ache. 

...All the chicks I have had since she left me has not filled the hole in me yet.  I can relate to this song.

 
I have pinpointed your problem. A change of perspective in viewing said "chicks" might help. {#Ask}

It's nice to hear this...something other than 'Werewolves of London'. Thank you, thank you, thank you, Thank you, thank you, thank youThank you, thank you, thank youThank you, thank you, thank youThank you, thank you, thank youThank you, thank you, thank you!
Have never really been a fan, but I get the significance and talent - strong 9
oh!  This is why people like Warren Zevon ... 
10 - Forever...I like that...
Love Love LOVE this tune...  RIP Warren.

One of his strongest songs in lyrics and composition. Always brings a tear in my eyes - so sad that Warren is no longer with us.An undisputable 10 now and forever.


Damn I miss him and his mediocre voice.
Don't understand his popularity or success. Seems pretty mediocre to me. <shrugs>

what a heart-wrencher...rip warren


I love the understated Warren.

The brilliance he brought continues to rise in magnitude. 
Angie by the Stones was my breakup tune
Such a great songwriter & talented musician.  Flawed personality.  Genius personified.  Rest in Peace Warren.  :-)
 casey1024 wrote:
This song is incredible.  It was on my first "heartbreak" tape, made way back when.  I miss him to this day (some 30+ years later)
 

I too put together sad music when a relationship ends.  Sarah McLachlan is one of my favorites.  I can't seem to let go.  Going through the end of a relationship now.
This song is incredible.  It was on my first "heartbreak" tape, made way back when.  I miss him to this day (some 30+ years later)
ah.. one of my favorite songs from one of my favorite albums of my senior year...  thanks for reminding me, Bill!
 juliamak wrote:
really? I don't understand what's so special about this song.  Blech.
 

Hmm.  Tip of the hat to you.  You have never lost a lover. 

Then again you are a woman.  I read once that the reason women outlive men is that no woman has ever died of heart ache. 

Which brings me to another quote from that book.  Time heals all wounds but love is eternal.

All the chicks I have had since she left me has not filled the hole in me yet.  I can relate to this song.

i remember plugging RCA jacks from the record player to my ghetto blaster to tape this album. Really wanted "roland the headless thompson gunner"


So beautiful.  I knew I loved him, I knew I missed him, yet somehow I had never heard this song.  Can't thank you enough Bill, oh wait...there's a listener support event going on.  I'm on it ;-).

jt
really? I don't understand what's so special about this song.  Blech.
HIs talent overrunneth.  Similar style and voice to Randy Newman, eh?
Rest in peace, Warren.
One of the most under rated musicians of our time.

Not a Frank Sinatra or Elvis the Pelvis but most creative writing songs with lyrics that drive to the point.


God rest your soul, Mr. Zevon.  You are missed.
Beautiful.
 Pyro wrote:
Jeezuz, he just rips my heart out.  RIP, Warren.  I'm enjoying every sandwich!  Sorry, can't resist posting the lyrics:

The phone don't ring
And the sun refused to shine
Never thought I'd have to pay so dearly
For what was already mine
For such a long, long time We made mad love
Shadow love
Random love
And abandoned love
Accidentally like a martyr
The hurt gets worse and the heart gets harder The days slide by
Should have done, should have done, we all sigh
Never thought I'd ever be so lonely
After such a long, long time
Time out of mind We made mad love
Shadow love
Random love
And abandoned love
Accidentally like a martyr
The hurt gets worse and the heart gets harder

 
Wow, thanks Pyro.
RP has been playing more Warren in the last couple of days. That's a good thing. Each tune has made appreciate again his talent for composition and performance
i'll never get over his death....
Jeezuz, he just rips my heart out.  RIP, Warren.  I'm enjoying every sandwich!  Sorry, can't resist posting the lyrics:

The phone don't ring
And the sun refused to shine
Never thought I'd have to pay so dearly
For what was already mine
For such a long, long time We made mad love
Shadow love
Random love
And abandoned love
Accidentally like a martyr
The hurt gets worse and the heart gets harder The days slide by
Should have done, should have done, we all sigh
Never thought I'd ever be so lonely
After such a long, long time
Time out of mind We made mad love
Shadow love
Random love
And abandoned love
Accidentally like a martyr
The hurt gets worse and the heart gets harder

Adore this tune!  Thank you for playing this.
This is from Warren's last appearance on Letterman: He noted, "I may have made a tactical error in not going to a physician for 20 years." It was during this broadcast that Zevon first offered his oft-quoted insight on facing death: "Enjoy every sandwich."!

Love, Love, LOVE Zevon!  RIP Warren.
Man, I just LOVE Warren Zevon!
Must be Zevon Week!
So simple, and so perfect. I've noticed that many of Warren's songs in the library have never been played. Let's correct this.